Dissecting the Wilderness Therapy Client

Abstract

Over the last decade, wilderness therapy research has increased substantially in both quality and quantity and has begun to establish a base of evidence and literature. However, there is still much to be learned about the clients served and their clinical profile. The authors examined diagnostic data from discharge summaries of 929 clients (192 young adults and 737 adolescents) who enrolled in wilderness therapy at four sites across the nation. We explored trends and differences in primary diagnosis and overall prevalence of disorders according to gender and age. Central themes emerged such as the pervasiveness of substance issues, the overwhelming impact of Mood Disorders, and the clinical complexity of wilderness therapy clients. How these findings fit in with industry trends are discussed, as well as the conceptualization of behavioral issues from adolescent to adult populations, variances between adults and adolescents, and gender differences.

Outdoor Behavioral Health Care: A Longitudinal Assessment of Young Adult Outcomes

“…Our findings regarding participants' primary diagnosis mirror those of a study that examined the typical profiles and diagnostic breakdown of OBH clients (Hoag, Massey, & Roberts, 2014). Eligible participants were those who completed the program's 35-day minimum length of stay requirement.…”

“…In addition, 84.9% of the participants (n = 158) had a diagnosis for either a mood or anxiety disorder. Our findings regarding participants' primary diagnosis mirror those of a study that examined the typical profiles and diagnostic breakdown of OBH clients (Hoag, Massey, & Roberts, 2014). We did not collect data regarding participants' race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status; however, the clients served by the OBH program involved in this study tend to be Caucasian and of a higher socioeconomic status (R. Hiezer, personal communication, August 28, 2015).…”

Outdoor Behavioral Health Care

“…Inconclusive and conflicting results from previous OBH research relating the impact of diagnosis on outcomes spurred the necessity of further examination (Hesse et al, 2009; Hoag, Massey, et al, 2014; Russell, 2003; Tucker et al, 2014). Participants in the present study had similar starting points and change trajectories regardless of the four diagnostic categories examined in this study.…”

“…Recent estimates indicate that more than 60% of young adults with a mental health diagnosis are female (SAMHSA, 2013). However, OBH studies regularly report samples composed of considerably more males than females (Hoag, Massey, & Roberts, 2014; Hoag et al, 2013; Russell et al, 2008). Indeed, Hoag, Massey, and Roberts (2014) reported females constitute less than 20% of OBH clients.…”

“…However, OBH studies regularly report samples composed of considerably more males than females (Hoag, Massey, & Roberts, 2014; Hoag et al, 2013; Russell et al, 2008). Indeed, Hoag, Massey, and Roberts (2014) reported females constitute less than 20% of OBH clients. Lambert et al (2004) found no outcome differences between males and females in both clinical and non-clinical settings.…”